Bad Astronomy

Florida: Make up your mind about Doom already!

What’s that? Creationist sympathizers in Florida are trying to force an unnecessary and unneeded bill providing for the Orwellianly-phrased “academic freedom” of teachers and students?

Yeah, shocker. Brandon Haught of Florida Citizens for Science has the details. If you think this isn’t a big deal, read how the bill is summarized on the Florida Senate’s page:

Provides public school teachers with a right to present scientific information relevant to the full range of views on biological and chemical origins. Prohibits a teacher from being discriminated against for presenting such information. Prohibits students from being penalized for subscribing to a particular position on evolution, etc.

Hey, remember when Oklahoma did that a few weeks ago? I guess Florida legislators are jealous that Oklahoma is hogging all the ridicule.

Brandon says the creationists are lighting up the Senate switchboards with phone calls, so if you’re a Floridian and you like reality the way it is, then please take a moment and make your voice heard as well and let the Florida Senate know that this bill is a waste of time, energy, money, and will hurt our students and the reputation of Florida. The bottom of Brandon’s post has links that will give you what you need. He’s also tracking the progress of the bill on another page.